Interview

07

Oct 12

Aces are here to win CLT20: Mahmood

Senior all-rounder is determined to help his team achieve something special

Azhar Mahmood’s cricketing career took a
turn for good a few months back. Respected and adored by his Kent teammates,
this amiable former Pakistan all-rounder has also won the hearts of his various
T20 teams around the world.

He was welcomed as one of their own by the
Kings XI Punjab during IPL 2012 and is now gearing up to get the Auckland Aces
past the Qualifiers in CLT20 2012 in South Africa. With a couple of days to go
for their first match, against the Sialkot Stallions, Mahmood told clt20.com that this time the Aces are
here to win the tournament.

What’s
the feeling ahead of making your CLT20 debut?

I’m very excited and happy about this. I made
my IPL debut this year and really enjoyed the experience. The Auckland Aces
failed to get past the Qualifiers last year. Hopefully, I can help them get
there this time.

When
you play for less fancied teams like the KXIP and Auckland Aces, do your
responsibilities increase as a senior player?

There are other experienced players in this
team who have been playing T20 cricket for a long time now. We’ve got a very
good, balanced side with a good blend of young and experienced players. We have
someone like Martin Guptill who is in great form. We have Ronil Hira, Kyle
Mills, Andre Adams and myself. Overall, yes, we are underdogs, and it’s always
good to be that.

When
you play for different teams around the world, does it get tough to adjust to the
changing team dynamics and the roles you’re asked to play?

Yes, it does get difficult but I’m a
professional cricketer and I have to adapt. My role with the Auckland Aces is
different from what it was with the Kings XI Punjab. If I refuse to be flexible,
I won’t be able to perform on the field. I have to take whatever opportunities
and challenges are thrown my way and own up to them. I know how to play this
game and I use my experience to adapt.

Is
this adaptation more of a mental adjustment?

Yes. For instance, I’ve played a few times
with the Aces now. I’ve spent a lot of time with the boys and know the team
inside out. However, when I went to the IPL, I wasn’t sure of how things worked
there. I had to work my way into the team. It takes a bit of time, but as a
professional you have to adjust.

Does
playing with vastly different teams in various countries help you evolve as a
cricketer?

When you go to various countries as an
experienced overseas player, the youngsters look up to you. So, you have to be
at the top of your game. Playing in every different team and country poses its
own challenges and with time you learn how to handle them. It does help you
evolve in that way.

The
Aces are underdogs, as you mentioned. But what’s that one thing that separates
them from the rest of the teams?

I think the discipline we have got in the
team and the work ethic is amazing. The team’s been here since a few weeks now
and have been working really hard on the areas of the game that needs polishing.
We’re not looking to qualify but to win this tournament. That spirit is
special.

Open Questions

Who is the better T20 bowler?

Pulse connects you to the live action

Get closer to CLT20 this season by using Pulse while you watch the LIVE matches. Pulse asks you a range of questions relevant to the LIVE action as it unfolds. Your votes will be featured in the telecast in real-time and debated by the commentators, players and stars.